Separable connecter for sectional containers and supports



Nov. 8, 1927.

T. REPAY SEPARABLE CONNECTER FOR SECTIONAL CONTAINERS AND SUPPORTS Filed OGt' 6, 1924 Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES THEODORE Elf-PAY, 013 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SEPARABLE GONNECTER FOR SECTIONAL CONTAINERS AND SUPPORTS.

Application filed October 6, 1924. Serial No. 742,009.

My invention relates to separable connecters for sectional containers, such as co1 lapsible boxes, crates and cases, or sectional stage scenery and similar supports.

A purpose of myinvention is the provision of a separable connection of the above described character which is simple and in expensive of construction and capable of ready application to the sections of a container or stage scenery for securely holding such sections in assembled formation and yet permitting the easy disassembling of the sections. p p

I will describe only three forms of separable connections embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

I11 the accompanying drawings Figural is a view showing in perspective the meeting ends of a pair of sections of a container or stage scenery having applied thereto one form of a separable connection embodying my invention: 7 a v x Figure 2 is a plan perspective view showing the sections secured to each other by the separable connection shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pair of sections having applied thereto another form of separable connection embodying my invention;

Figure 4: is a plan perspective of the sections, with a separable connection in connecting or assembling position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing arthird form of separable connection embodying myinvention;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing the separable connection in connecting position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, I have here shown one form of separable connection embodying my invention, in which the sections of the container or stage scenery designated at A and A are adapted to be connected in right angular relation. The connector comprises a pair of complemental members adapted to besecured respectively to the meeting edges of the sections, and each member being constructed from a plate of metal or other suitable material, which is bent in the form of a U to provide parallel portions 15 and 16 and an intermediate portion 17A The opposite sides of each seetion A or A. are recessed to accommodate the parallel portions 15 and 16 and the latter are firmly secured to the section and within the recessed portions by means of suitable fastening members 18. The plate is recessed at intervals along its length, as indicated at 19, and the portions of the plate between the recesses provide tongues 20 of L-shaped form, with the long arm of each tongue constituting a continuation of the-parallel portion 16 and the short arm actually constituting the intermediate'portion of the plate or that portion connecting the parallel portions 15 and 16. That part of the'parallel portion 15 projecting beyond the vertical edge ofthe corresponding section A or A and designated at 15 constitutes alimiting partition against which the tongues '20 of the other member are adapted to abut so as to properly position said tongues with respect to the tongues of the first member and thereby facilitate the interlocking engagement of the two groups of tongues.

As clearly shown in Figure 1, each tongue 20 of the member for the section A is formed with notches 21 and 22, the notches 21 being atthejunction of the parallel portion 16 and the long arm of the tongues, and the notches 22 at the junction of the partition 15 and the short arms of the tongue. The

tongues of the member-for the section A are likewise provided with notches 23 and 24c, but these notches are formed by recessing the lower edges of the tongues 20 instead of the upper edges of the tongues as is the casein the member of the section A.

In, assembling the separable connector in order that the, sections A andA may be rigidly connected in right angular relation, the members are positioned as illustrated in Figure 1, so that the tongues of one member are opposite the openings 19 0f the other member. With the tongues so positioned it will be clear that by moving the sections toward each other the tongues willpass into the openings, and by moving the partitions vertically in opposed directions the notches 21. and 23 and 22 and 2 1 will register and permit a continued movement of the memhere so that the tongues will have interlocking engagement with each other inthe manner illustrated in Figure 2, and thus securely lock the sections in right angular formation. 1n orderto separate the members of the eon-section todpermit th disconnection or the sections A and A, it is only necessary to move the members vertically and in opposite directions, and sufficiently to move the walls of the notches out of engagement with each other when the tongues of one member can be withdrawn from between the tongues of the other member. 7 v

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, I have here shown another form of separable connecter embodying my invention, which is designed for connecting the pair of sections in longitudinal alinement and against separation longitudinally. In this form of my invention, the connecter comprises a pair of metal plates secured to the confronting edges of the sections A and A, each plate constituting a member of the connecter. Each plate is bent in the form of a U to provide parallel portions 25 and 26 secured to the opposite sides of the corresponding section A. or A, and an intermediate portion 27, the latter spanning the vertical edge of the sec tion and being formed at regular spaced intervals along its length with openings 28. Between the openings 28 the intermediate portion'is formed with tongues, the tongues of the section A being designated at 29 and extending upwardly, as shown, while the tongues of the member of the section A are extended downwardly and are designated at 29*. All of the tongues are flared outwardly by the provision of notches 30 and 30, respectively, at. opposite ends of the tongues, and'the notches of one group of tongues cooperate with the notches of the other group in allowingthe, ton ues to have interlocking engagement to rigi ly connect the sections A and A against separation horizontally and vertically.

From the foregoing description, it will be clear that the openings 28 of one member are adapted to receive the tongues of the other member so that thelatter, by vertical movement, can have interlocking engagement with the tongues of the other member and thus hold the vertical edges ofthe sections A and A in contiguous relation, as illus trated in Figure 4E, and to prevent longitudinal or horizontal separation ofthe sections.

The tongues 29 are shown as of sufiicient width and sufiiciently offset or flared from the intermediate portions 27 so that. when the tongues of one member are in interlocking relation to the tongues of the other member they will engage the inner sides of the intermediate portions 27 in such manner that the latter performs the function of cams to firmly hold the tongues and thus lock the members against accidental disengagement. It will be understood that the tongues '29 can be less flared or oiiset whereby the tongues of one member will merely engage the tongues of the other member and in the intermediateport-ions 27. Such engagement of the tongues will'be sufficiently efiective to the tongues of both members being secure the members in interlocking relation.

Referring now to Figure "5, I have here shown a third form of my invention which is particularly adapted for hingedly connecting two sections, the invention being particularly designed for hingedly supporting a door or other form of closure upon a stationary support. In this form of my invention the stationary support is designated at S and the door or closure member at K. The vertical edges of the elements S and K are recessed to accommodate plates 31 and 32, respectively, and these plates constitute the two members of the separable connecter. The plates 31 and 32 are constructed to provide at regular spaced intervals along one vertical edge a plurality of tongues 31" and 32, respectively, the latter extending upwardly and the former downwardly so that i when the two groups of tongues are assembled as illustrated in Figure 6,-t'hey cooperate in providing a pivotal support for the closure member K an d' at the'same time allow the ready separation of the two by a slight lifting of themember K with respect to the support S. It is to be particularly noted that the inclination of the tongues 31" and 32 allows an alternate arrangement of the tongues, that is to say, the tongues 31 are disposed in the openings between the tongues 82 and vice versa. In actual practice, the tongues 32 are swingingly supported by the tongues 31 such swinging movement, however, being limited by the engagement of the tongues with each other when the vertical edge of the closure member K is in parallel relation to the confronting vertical edge of the support S.

Although I have herein shown and described only three forms of separable connecters embodying my'invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made herein witl1out"de parting from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A separable connecter comprising a pair of complemental members, and notched tongues on the members, the tongues of one member being arranged in alternate relation to the tongues of the other member and having interlocking and releasable engagement with each other."

2. A separable connecter comprising a pair of complemental members, and notched tongues on each of the members. the tongues of one member extending upwardly and those of the other member downwardly, and spaced apart for the purpose described.

3. In a separable connecter of the character described a plate having cut out portions at intervals to provide notched tongues between the portions.

' 41. i A separable connecter comprising a plate having cut out portions at intervals to shaped body, one parallel portion of which provide notched tongues of rectangular is extended beyond the other, andL-shaped formation. portions connecting the parallel portions at 5. A separable connecter as embodied in intervals and having notches therein at their claim 2, wherein the tongues are notched at points of connection with the parallel their points of connection with the plate. portions.

6. A separable connecter comprising complemental members, each comprising a U- THEODORE BEPAY. 

